The epic battle of the seasons.
Old Man Winter
erase all signs of Fall.
Snow covers the ground.
Tree limbs hang low dripping white.
Fall holds her branches
close to her body.
Some have already fallen.
The lone casualties of war.
The battle rages on.
Fall will have to succumb
to the dictates of Old Man Winter.
She has no choice.
She puts up a valiant battle.
She will be back after Summer
finishes heating the earth.
She bows her head.
branches
THE TREES
THE TREES
Their fingers clasped tightly,
keeping the light out
and intruders in.
Paths snake through the brush,
leading in endless circles.
The darkness envelopes us,
holding us close to its dark heart.
No way out of this forest,
lost in the labyrinth of despair.
Waiting for The Dead and gone,
who hold our lives in their evil hands.
THE DEAD GAME has begun.
WINTER FROST
Ice fills my heavy heart.
Closing in on all sides.
Soon it will be frozen.
Entombed in winter frost.
Trees droop heavy with snow.
Branches hang low with icicles.
My heart sinks heavy with ice.
Frozen until spring melts the frost.
WINTER COLD
I feel so cold.
Ice is forming on my arms.
What is happening to me?
Why are my leaves drying up?
Ouch.
A cold wind just hit me in the face.
I wish I could hide.
But I’m stuck in place.
Waiting.
And waiting.
I think I fell asleep.
For the sun is out.
My ice is melting.
The breeze is now warmer.
It’s brushing the snow
off my cold arms.
My arms feel less heavy.
Soon it will be spring.
Time for celebration.
I can’t wait to see my
green leaves again.
Birds will return to
sit on my arms.
They will build their nests.
Life will be good again.
Only a few short months left.
I will take another snooze.
See you in the spring.
A NEW BEGINNING
A NEW BEGINNING
The rain hits the puddles
in staccato rhythm.
A constant
and mesmerizing sound.
Tree branches hang low,
weighed down with water.
Flowers lift their shiny faces
for their morning washing.
The cold, crisp rain
refreshes and renews.
The clouds dry out.
The sun returns
to brighten the day.
The air smells clean.
A new day dawns.
A new beginning.
THE TREE
THE TREE
The tree appears dark and looming.
It could use some proper grooming.
I want to take a walk between its legs,
Growing tall from the ground like giant pegs.
By its rules we must strictly abide.
Imagine the secrets it must hide.
Come walk with me in its deep shade.
Through the fallen leaves we will wade.
A canopy of leaves above our heads
As we fall asleep in our leafy beds.
A TREE
A TREE
A tree.
A symbol of hope.
Standing for freedom.
Withstanding the storms.
Arms raised to the sky.
Forever more.
Stand with me.
Give me courage.
To hold my head up high.
Solid as your roots.
Forever more.
Stay with me.
As time goes by.
Alone I stand.
No friends nearby.
Forever more.
INTO THE WOODS
The trees are alive.
They are moving.
They are surrounding me.
Touching me with
their skinny arms.
Throwing leaves
in my face.
They are now circling me.
Their arms reaching
up to the sky.
Closing off the light.
Blocking the sun.
Why is this happening?
What did I do to deserve this?
Hey!
Stop touching me.
Stop pulling on me.
What’s that sound?
A high-pitched sound.
Oh.
That’s my alarm clock.
A NEW BEGINNING
A NEW BEGINNING
A picture is definitely worth a thousand words.
This picture makes me feel relaxed and at peace.
The rain hitting the puddles hypnotizes and soothes me.
The beautiful scenery is being washed and renewed
by the cold crisp rain.
The tree’s branches hang low
from the weight of the water.
The flowers lift their colorful faces
for their washing.
Afterward, everything will smell wet and clean.
The sun will reveal the wet sheen covering the earth.
All will be fresh for a new day–a new beginning.
SUSANNE LEIST 